Simon Dyson is beginning to look one of the safest bets to make his Ryder Cup debut for Europe against the Americans at Medinah next year.

The fact that after his recent win in the Dutch Open he currently lies second in the qualifying table that will provide 10 members of Jose Maria Olazabal’s team is not a reliable pointer because that still has 11 months to run.

But in Saint-Nom-la- Breteche, the 33-year-old from York chalked up two valuable points to help Great Britain & Ireland into a virtually unassailable 11½-6½ lead over Europe on day three of the Vivendi Seve Trophy.

Good start: Jamie Donaldson (right) and Simon Dyson began the day well

And since Olazabal was watching
almost every shot from a motorised buggy, he must have made a strong
note of Dyson’s name should he find himself in need of one of his two
wildcard picks when naming his team next September.

No-one could have failed to have been
impressed by the way he closed out a 3 & 1 foursomes win with Ian
Poulter over Pablo Larrazabal and Alex Noren.

From an awkward lie in the rough at the back of the 17th green he produced a delicate chip into the hole for an eagle.

And Olazabal was the first to
recognise a rising star who has climbed to 28th in the world in less
than two months since finishing tied for ninth in The Open at Royal St
George’s.

‘I was expecting Simon to do well
here,’ said Olazabal. ‘I have been watching the way he has been
performing for the last six weeks and he is playing very well.’

On top: Lee Westwood eased to victory with Scott Jamieson

Olazabal also revealed Dyson’s name
cropped up in conversations he had this week with GB & Ireland
captain Paul McGinley. He added: ‘We both agree he now looks a very
solid player.’

Dyson modestly admitted that he felt nervous playing alongside Poulter.

He said: ‘All the hard work I’ve put
in has started to pay off and it’s great that people who hardly knew who
I was are now starting to take notice of me.’

Lee Westwood, 38, also picked up two
4&3 victories to leave his side needing just three points for a
sixth successive victory in this competition.

But for one player the week in France
has not been a success. After picking up only half a point from his
first three matches, Open Champion Darren Clarke offered to be one of
the two players left out of Saturday's foursomes series.

The Ulsterman, 43, said: ‘I volunteered to be stood down. I am not at the races this week.’